YSU set to renew rivalry tonight

The Penguins last played South Dakota State in 1979 in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s been 28 years since Youngstown State and South Dakota State have met on the football field.

Both programs have come a long way since that 1979 meeting.

Today the Penguins and Jackrabbits will renew that series at 6 p.m. in Stambaugh Stadium.

Back in 1979 both teams were still playing in the Division II ranks and met in the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs at Fitch High Stadium.

The Penguins won that contest 50-7, followed it with a 52-0 win over Alabama A&M in the semifinals, reaching their first national championship game, which they lost to Delaware 38-21 in the Zia Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M.

Youngstown State and South Dakota State have played seven other times and the series is tied 4-4.

The two teams first met in 1942 with the Penguins winning 14-0, then didn’t play again until 1968. Three of the Jackrabbits’ wins have come in Youngstown.

South Dakota State will now become a regular on the Penguins’ schedule since the Jackrabbits, along with North Dakota State, will become members of the Gateway Football Conference in 2008.

YSU hopes to maintain streak

The Penguins will be trying to preserve their streak of wins in 11 straight home openers. YSU had its streak of 11 straight season-opening wins snapped last week at Ohio State, but hasn’t lost a home opener since 1995, when Stephen F. Austin handed the Penguins a 27-0 whipping.

All seven teams in the Gateway Conference were in action this weekend, beginning with Missouri State’s 51-44 victory over Tennessee-Martin Thursday night. The Bears are now 2-0.

Today’s other action includes Illinois State (0-1) trying to rebound against Murray State in a 7:30 p.m. game at Normal, Ill. The Redbirds hold a 3-1 edge in the series.

Northern Iowa (1-0) will visit Iowa State in a 7 p.m. contest in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones are coming off a stunning season-opening loss to Kent State. Northern Iowa gave the Cyclones a scare a year ago, dropping a 28-27 contest.

Western Illinois (1-0) will travel to Illinois for their first meeting at 7 p.m.

Southern Illinois (1-0) will visit Northern Illinois at 7:30 p.m. in DeKalb, Ill. The Salukis trail in the series 38-13-1, but almost pulled an upset in their last meeting in 2004, 23-22.

Indiana State (0-1) tries to rebound in a home contest against Austin Peay in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Terre Haute, Ind. ISU won the only meeting between the teams in 1989, 42-15.